Upcoming and Ongoing projects
Upcoming Projects.
1. Community Networks for Social Change (CNX).
The Community Network Exchange event in Nepal is set to bring together
community network practitioners and supporters to exchange ideas and empower
marginalized communities. The conference, titled "Empowering Voices,
Connecting Communities: Community Networks for Social Change," aims to
explore the potential of community networks for social change in Nepal. This
includes raising awareness, facilitating knowledge exchange, building capacity,
fostering collaboration, and advocating for policy dialogue. The event will
emphasize rural connectivity, last-mile accessibility, and services for
indigenous, tribal, hilly, and mountain communities. It will showcase diverse
community network stories, highlight the role of women, and involve telecom
service providers and ISPs in extending connectivity. Additionally, the event
plans to organize local-level exchange programs for engineers in various
network technologies and support national-level gatherings. A consortium for
sustainability in Nepal will also be formed. Furthermore, the event advocates
for policy initiatives through briefing papers, policymakers' engagement, and
discussions on sustainable business models.
2. Chepang Community Networks (Raksirang Rural Municipality).
The objective of this project is to create a community network for the
Tibeto-Burman ethnic group in Nepal's impoverished communities. These
communities rely on the forest for survival due to harsh climates, and most
practice Hinduism with influences from Buddhism, Animism, and Christianity. The
Raksirang Rural Municipality faces challenges including limited education, poor
healthcare, financial issues, and poor road conditions. The Chepang community,
in particular, struggles with internet access and traditional farming. The
proposed Chepang Community Network initiative aims to address these issues by
creating a comprehensive network that focuses on livelihoods, healthcare, education,
agriculture, and communication. The goal is to accelerate development in wards
6 and 5 of Raksirang Rural Municipality and improve the quality of life for the
Chepang community. This project includes establishing community learning
centers, providing online education materials, skills development programs, and
installing free WIFI. Additionally, the project aims to preserve and promote
the Chepang traditional language and culture, provide healthcare access through
telemedicine, offer agricultural information to farmers, and empower Chepang
women through online skill development and entrepreneurship programs.
Ongoing projects.
1. Digital Talk (Digital podcast)
One
notable initiative is the Digital Talk podcast, which aims to promote digital
literacy, innovation, collaboration, and bridge the digital divide. It will
cover topics such as digital inclusion and access to ICTs. The podcast intends
to contribute to Nepal's digital transformation and extend the benefits of
digital technologies to a wider population. The project will prioritize
community needs and engage with stakeholders through consultations and surveys.
Overall, the Digital Talk podcast and Digital Nepal Framework aim to increase
access to digital technologies, promote digital literacy, and drive Nepal's
digital transformation. https://www.youtube.com/@digitaltalknepal
2. Eak Abhiyan (The Internet is for Children)
The Eak Abhiyan project aims to provide internet connectivity and
enhance digital literacy for children in foster homes. Through art workshops
and exhibitions, the project engages the community while improving access to
educational resources and increasing digital literacy. It levels the playing
field and equips children from diverse backgrounds with the necessary skills to
succeed in a technology-driven world. The project's primary goal is to provide
foster children with improved access to education and digital resources,
empowering them for future opportunities. It also focuses on empowering local
leaders to advocate for digital inclusion and fostering collaboration with
stakeholders and policymakers. The project provides free internet connections
to foster homes, reduces the educational gap, supports foster homes through art
exhibitions, and establishes a revenue generation model for long-term
sustainability. This collaborative effort ensures the project's success in
supporting foster children in the community. https://www.facebook.com/EakAbhiyan
